Your HA-520 Request for Review, Explained
Also called: ha520, ha 520, HA-520-U5, Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order
Last reviewed 2026-07-18
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What this notice usually means
Form HA-520 is how you ask Social Security's Appeals Council to review a decision or order from an Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ. You file it after a hearing, not before one. A different form, HA-501, is what asks for the hearing itself. The Appeals Council can grant your request and review the case, deny the request, or send the case back to a judge. Filing HA-520, or using SSA's iAppeal Online process, is how you start that review. The Appeals Council decides what happens next with your case.
See every source line for this notice
“If you do not agree with the decision or order of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) on your claim, you may ask the Appeals Council (AC) to review the ALJ's action.”
“If you show that you had good cause for missing the deadline, the time period will be extended.”
“Send the completed form to your local Social Security office or to the Social Security Administration, Office of Appellate Operations, 6401 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21235-6401.”
“The preferred method for appealing the ALJ's decision or order is by using the SSA secure online process AC iAppeal Online”
“If you have additional evidence that relates to the period on or before the date of the hearing decision, you must inform the Appeals Council about it or submit it.”
“If you need additional time to submit evidence or legal argument, you must request an extension of time in writing now.”
“Within 60 days after the date you receive notice of the hearing decision or dismissal”
What to do now
- 1
Mark your 60-day deadline
You have 60 days after you get the hearing decision. Social Security counts that as 5 days after the date on the notice. Mark the date now.
- 2
File online, by mail, fax, or at a local office
The fastest way is the online iAppeal tool. You can also mail or fax the HA-520 form or a letter. Or bring it to your local Social Security office.
- 3
Send new evidence now, or ask for more time in writing
New proof must be about the time before your hearing decision. Send it with your request. Need more time to get it? Ask in writing when you file.
- 4
Ask for more time if you missed the deadline
You or another party can ask in writing for more time. Give the reason you missed it. If the reason is good cause, the deadline moves.
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Deadline
You have 60 days to ask for Appeals Council review. The clock starts when you get the hearing decision. Social Security counts that as 5 days after the date on the notice. Missed it? You can ask for more time in writing. Give the reason. If the reason is good cause, you get the extra time.
“Within 60 days after the date you receive notice of the hearing decision or dismissal”
“We assume that you got the hearing decision or order within 5 days after the date shown on the notice unless you can show us you did not get it within the 5-day period.”
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Sources
- SSA, Form HA-520: Request for Review of Hearing Decision/Order (ssa.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-18
- SSA's posted text of 20 CFR 404.968, How to request Appeals Council review (ssa.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-18
- eCFR, 20 CFR 404.968: How to request Appeals Council review (ecfr.gov)Retrieved 2026-07-16
Last reviewed 2026-07-18
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